Dum spiro spero means "While I breathe, I hope" in Latin and is generally attributed to Cicero

Cicero

Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...

.

It is a motto

Motto

A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...

 of various places and families.

States and Towns

• The notable origin of the motto is St Andrews
  St Andrews
  St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
  
  , Fife
  Fife
  Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
  
  , Scotland. Its attribution to Saint Andrew
  Saint Andrew
  Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him...
  
   and his bones being taken to this small fishing village on the North Sea
  North Sea
  In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
  
  , contributed to its direct linkage between the saying, the town, the University of St Andrews
  University of St Andrews
  The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
  
   and the Saint.

• It is also the state motto of South Carolina
  South Carolina
  South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
  
  , adopted in 1776. On March 26, 1776, the Provincial Congress
  Provincial Congress
  "Provincial Congress" can refer to one of several extra-legal legislative bodies established in some of the Thirteen Colonies early in the American Revolution...
  
   of South Carolina set up an independent government, and the motto formed a part of official great seal, created by W. H. Drayton.

• Dum Spiro Spero was the state motto for the Kingdom of Sarawak
  Kingdom of Sarawak
  The Kingdom of Sarawak was a state in Borneo established by Sir James Brooke in 1842 by receiving independent kingdom status from the Sultanate of Brunei as a reward for helping fight piracy and insurgency...
  
  .

• Dum Spiro Spero is the motto of the Principality of Hutt River, and appears on their coat of arms
  Coat of arms
  A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
  
  .

• Dum Spiro Spero is the motto of Burstow Park House, in Surrey England and also appear on their coat of arms
  Coat of arms
  A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
  
  .

Families

Dum spiro spero is the family motto of numerous families worldwide, including:

• the Bushnell family display the motto on their coat of arms (of English origin) While I have breath I hope.
• the Baker family
• the Bonnington-Carter (de Lusignan/Markoullé) family (direct descendents of the Frankish Kings and Lords of Cyprus) display the motto on their coat of arms. The motto is believed to represent the family's desire to return to their ancestral homelands in the Levant/Poitou after the Crusades (of Frankish Cypriot/English origin)
• the Brooke family display the motto on their coat of arms (of Rajah of Sarawak origin)
• the Pearson family display the motto above their coat of arms (of English origin)
• the Gahan family display the motto above their coat of arms. (of Irish origin)
• the Spearman family display the motto above their coat of arms
• the Bisschoff family display the motto beneath their family crest. (of German origin)
• the Casement family (of Norman origin)
• the Darlington family
• the Davies family (of Welsh origin)
• the Dearden family
• the Dillon family (of Irish origin)
• the Durden family (of English origin)
• the Durr family
• the Doran family (of Irish origin).
• the Dullaghan family (of Irish origin)
• the Flude family
• the Goins family (of Irish origin)
• the Harding family crest is a stag and anchor and underneath the shield reads the motto Dum Spiro Spero
• the Harman family (of English origin)
• the Hensley family and variants, i.e. Hensleigh, Henslie, Henslea, Ensleigh, etc. Whose origins are in England, display the motto underneath their Coat of Arms.
• the Betteridge family (of Anglo Saxon origin) use Dum Spiro Spero as their family motto.
• the Scottish Clan MacLennan
  Clan MacLennan
  Clan MacLennan, also known as Siol Ghillinnein, is a Highland Scottish clan which historically populated lands in the north-west of Scotland. The surname MacLennan in Scottish Gaelic is Mac Gille Fhinnein meaning the son of the follower of St Finnan.-History:-Origins:According to tradition the...
  
  , who have used it since at least the sixteenth century, and many claim that this motto was used by the MacLennans from the thirteenth century.
• the Lee Family.
• the Liversidge family, and variants, i.e. Liversage, Liversedge, etc., who draw their name from Liversedge
  Liversedge
  Liversedge is a township in the former parish of Birstall, in the metropolitan borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England. Liversedge lies between Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike about southwest of Leeds.-Settlements within Liversedge:...
  
   in West Yorkshire
  West Yorkshire
  West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
  
  , England
  England
  England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
  
  .
• the Moses family Wales
  Wales
  Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
  
  .
• the Mason family.
• the Harigon family, who adopted it because over many years of peril and distress they hoped for a land of many sheep and pastures. They moved to New Zealand
  New Zealand
  New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
  
   and harbor sheep that have been neglected on their farm, named after this famous saying.
• the Högquist family, and variants, i.e. Högqvist, Högkvist, etc., from Gotland
  Gotland
  Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
  
   in Sweden
• the Hunter family shield is a Greyhound's head and underneath the crest lies the moto: Dum Spiro Spero
  Dum spiro spero
  Dum spiro spero means "While I breathe, I hope" in Latin and is generally attributed to Cicero.It is a motto of various places and families.-States and Towns:*The notable origin of the motto is St Andrews, Fife, Scotland...
  
  
• the Bushell, Bushnell and Bussell family, possibly since they held a family seat in Somerset
  Somerset
  The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
  
  , England. Some believe that the usage pre-dates other usages of the motto in the context of a family motto.
• the Lindsay family
  Clan Lindsay
  -Origins of the Clan:There is currently no known proven path pertaining to the origin of the Clan Lindsay. However, several possible theories have been advanced over the years. First is the theory proposed in 1769 by biographer/historian, Richard Rolt, in which he claimed that the Lindsays were...
  
   of Scotland, who also use the motto Endure Forte. These are engraved in the garden walls at Edzell Castle
  Edzell Castle
  Edzell Castle is a ruined 16th century castle, with an early 17th century walled garden. It is located close to Edzell, and is around north of Brechin, in Angus, Scotland. Edzell Castle was begun around 1520 by David Lindsay, 9th Earl of Crawford, and expanded by his son, Sir David Lindsay, Lord...
  
   in Angus
  Angus
  Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
  
  , Scotland.
• Sir Homi Mody, K.B.E.
• the Roberts family, whose coat of arms is azure
  Azure
  In heraldry, azure is the tincture with the colour blue, and belongs to the class of tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of horizontal lines or else marked with either az. or b. as an abbreviation....
  
  , a chevron argent
  Argent
  In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
  
  , with an eagle crest and unicorns for supporters.
• the Salmon family, whose origins are in Scotland, display the motto underneath the family shield, which bears six fleurs-de-lis and six salmon (fish).
• the Sharp family, whose origins lie in Scotland, specifically the north western Bute region.
• the Sparks family.
• the Stanton family, whose coat of arms bears a demi-lion, red, white, and black coloring, and a shield with numerous spires.
• the Swainson family, whose coat of arms bears a lions head, six diamonds and a speared boars head also display the motto below their shield.
• The Williamson family whose coat of arms has a red shield and three fleurs-de-lis with crown and hawk and the motto underneath, this family name also has direct links to William the Conqueror.
• Woodes Rogers
  Woodes Rogers
  Woodes Rogers was an English sea captain, privateer, and, later, the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas. He is known as the captain of the vessel that rescued the marooned Alexander Selkirk, whose plight is generally believed to have inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.Rogers came from an...
  
  , famous pirate hunter & Governor of The Bahamas during the Golden Age of Piracy
  Golden Age of Piracy
  The Golden Age of Piracy is a common designation given to one or more outbursts of piracy in maritime history of the early modern period. In its broadest accepted definition, the Golden Age of Piracy spans from the 1650s to the 1730s and covers three separate outbursts of piracy:the buccaneering...
  
  , displays this motto above his head in a well preserved original family portrait (dated 1729) filled with emblems of his life & career.
• the Metford family of Canada, whose coat of arms bears a leopard pierced with an arrow & the motto scrolled below.
• Johann "von Meyer" Dresden Germany was ennobled and given the title "baron" the "von" in front of Meyer ( a small "v" meaning a title) this included a Crest and Motto of "Dum Spiro Spero" this commemorating his Philanthropy.
• the McGahon family (County Londonderry
  County Londonderry
  The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
  
  , Northern Ireland
  Northern Ireland
  Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
  
  ), whose coat of arms bears 3 fish with the motto displayed beneath.
• the Bezdekovsky family (Czech republic
  Czech Republic
  The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
  
  , Prague
  Prague
  Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
  
  )
• the Olphert family (Ballyconnell
  Ballyconnell
  Ballyconnell is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is situated on the N87 national secondary road at the junction of four townlands Annagh, Cullyleenan, Doon and Derryginny in the parish of Tomregan, Barony of Tullyhaw. The town has an altitude of 55 metres above sea level...
  
  , Ireland
  Ireland
  Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
  
  ) The motto and the family coat of arms is still visible above the door at Ballyconnell House, Donegal http://anfalcarrachlecheile.com/StairanFlCarrach.htm
• the Dillon family whose coat of arms displays a lion surrounded by three crescents. It is the Irish-Norman form of De Leon from the town of Lyon in central France.
• the Jelenkovic family (of Serbian origin) whose coat of arms has a deer horns with red ribbon and the motto scrolled below.
• the Gaughan family: whose coat of arms bears the motto, and three fish.
• the Morgan family
• the Clifton family
• The Partridge Family: whose coat of arms bears the motto. See, A genealogical and heraldic dictionary of the landed gentry of England ..., Volume 2 By Sir Bernard Burke

Organizations

Dum spiro spero is the motto of the Asthma Sinus Allergy Program at Greater Baltimore Medical Center

Greater Baltimore Medical Center

Greater Baltimore Medical Center, known to many simply as GBMC, is a hospital located in the Baltimore suburb of Towson, Maryland. GBMC serves more than 26,700 inpatient cases and approximately 60,000 emergency room visits annually. GBMC’s main campus also includes three medical office...

 [ASAP@GBMC] located in Maryland.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of David Collett Hall at Loughborough University

Loughborough University

Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...

 located in Leicestershire, England.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of the 68th Royal Air Force Apprentice entry at RAF Halton

RAF Halton

RAF Halton is one of the largest Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom, located near the village of Halton near Wendover, Buckinghamshire.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton.-History:...

 Buckinghamshire, England.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of the Don Popadopolis Dopescurvy, SEM the Hegemon.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of Czech Army's 601st Special Forces Group

601st Special Forces Group

The 601st Special Forces Group of general Moravec is a special forces unit of the Czech Armed Forces. It was officially created in 2003, the product of reorganizations in the Military of the Czech Republic in this year...

.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of dispute STROPDAS, dispute of the Dutch

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

 rowing association Thêta

Theta

Theta is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from the Phoenician letter Teth...

.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of Russian naval special team.

Dum spiro spero is the motto of Fairfield College, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Usage In Literature

In Jules Verne

Jules Verne

Jules Gabriel Verne was a French author who pioneered the science fiction genre. He is best known for his novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , A Journey to the Center of the Earth , and Around the World in Eighty Days...

's novel In Search of the Castaways

In Search of the Castaways

In Search of the Castaways is a novel by the French writer Jules Verne, published in 1867–1868. The original edition, published by Hetzel, contains a number of illustrations by Édouard Riou. In 1876 it was republished by George Routledge & Sons as a three volume set titled "A Voyage Round The World"...

, the character Jacques Paganel

Jacques Paganel

Jacques Eliacin François Marie Paganel is one of the main characters in Jules Verne's novel In Search of the Castaways...

 quotes it (shortened into "Spiro Spero") as his personal motto.

Usage In TV

The motto is seen tattooed on Lucas North

Lucas North

Lucas North, formerly known as John Bateman, is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks , which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division of MI5. North is portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage...

's shoulders, a character from the BBC

BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...

 show Spooks

Spooks

Spooks is a British television drama series that originally aired on BBC One from 13 May 2002 – 23 October 2011, consisting of 10 series. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, as the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a...

.

Usage In Romans

It is written on an old castle's ruins in the key scene of William Styron's Set this house on fire.

Usage in games

It is also used in the soundtrack of the horror game Clive Barker's Undying

Clive Barker's Undying

Clive Barker's Undying is a horror-themed first-person shooter video game based on the Unreal Tournament game engine. It was the last game developed by DreamWorks Interactive before becoming EA Los Angeles, and released in 2001 by Electronic Arts...

.

Usage in comics

Seen on the last page of The Mighty Thor

Thor (Marvel Comics)

Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....

 #157, the first conclusion of the Mangog

Mangog

Mangog is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Thor #154 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...

 storyline.

Usage in music

• The phrase is used as the title for a concert band work by composer Chris Pilsner
• Dum Spiro Spero
  Dum Spiro Spero (album)
  Dum Spiro Spero is the eighth studio album by the Japanese metal band Dir En Grey, released on August 3, 2011...
  
  is the title of the eighth album by Japanese rock band Dir En Grey
  Dir en grey
  Dir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
  
  .

• "Dum Spiro Spero" is the title of a song by David J Roch from his EP "This Is For You Whether I Have Met You Or Not" 2011.
• "Dum Spiro Spero" is the title of a track by Australian band The Daylight Curse from the album "While I Breathe I Hope" 2003.